Atlanta @ Orlando picks

The Magic are expected to see an increase in possessions today from squaring off against the 2nd-most up-tempo pace visiting offense in the NBA over the last 25 games (the Atlanta Hawks). Offensive rebounds lengthen possession and spark further opportunities for scoring and assists, and the Magic grade out 9th-best in in the NBA with 11.7 offensive boards per game over the last 10 games. Wendell Carter Jr. will receive the benefit of the home court advantage in this matchup. Playing at home usually increases player performance in all facets of the game.

The Hawks are expected to see a decline in possessions in this game from squaring off against the 2nd-least up-tempo tempo home team in the NBA over the last 5 games (the Orlando Magic). The matchup vs. the Orlando Magic is a difficult one for getting to the charity stripe; the opposing team's starting PGs have attempted just 3.3 foul shots per game this year (5th-least in the league). Trae Young should see a decline in output in all facets of the game on account of being on the road in this contest.

Georges Niang has successfully made 2.9 3-pointers per game over the last 10 games, 0.8 more than he's made from downtown over the course of the year. The matchup vs. Orlando is a positive one for shots from the field; when the Magic are on their home court, the opposing team's starting PFs have compiled the 10th-highest Field Goal% in the NBA this year (49.9%). The 2nd-most up-tempo pace visiting team in the NBA over the last 25 games has been the Hawks. Offensive rebounds lengthen possession and result in bonus opportunities for scoring and assists, and the Hawks rank 6th-best in the league as the visting team with 12.6 offensive boards per game this year. Georges Niang has sunk 100.0% of his free throw attempts over the last 5 games, 18.9% higher than he's made in all games this season.

As it relates to scoring, the Magic's feeble 105.1 points per game ranks 2nd-fewest in the league this year. The 2nd-least up-tempo pace home offense in the league over the last 5 games has been the Magic. Paolo Banchero has attempted and missed 2.3 foul shots per game this year, a significant increase from his 1.9 mark last year.